Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

The annual Christmas Tree Festival in Desford celebrated it`s 20th Anniversary in 2022. As previous years the Church of St. Martin`s was full of trees decorated by Desford groups and individuals this year on a theme of films, with a eclectic mix from across cinematic history, there where trees based on films as diverse as Toy Story to James Bond, White Christmas, Paddington bear and much more, a special tree was decorated in tribute to HM The Queen marking both her Platinum Jubilee and passing in 2022. How many films can you spot as my film takes you on a tour of the festival and can you spot a tree decorated with portraits of a certain Lost King ?

On 17th November Leicester came to sparkling festive life with 16,000 LED lights and a 46ft Christmas tree decorated beside the Clock Tower in the center of the city. The festive atmosphere started before the lights got switched on as local band the King Brasstards roamed the streets playing their unique take on festive favorites and a brightly lit fairground featuring traditional gallpers and other rides entertained the crowds. As 6:30pm approached the countdown hosted by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman began and those gathered forgot the rain and smiled as the large tree and streets burst into a rainbow of festive colours and lights the festive season had begun. After the switch on was complete street entertainers entertained the crowds with Mr and Mrs Frosty and the Show Globe bringing magical moments for all underneath the decorations. 

A artwork celebrating the achievements of England Rugby player Emily Scarratt has been created on one side of the Leicester Forest RFC clubhouse.     Emily, who was born and raised in Leicester, has become England's record points scorer and is at the time of publication the Vice-Captain of the national team, In 2021 she was awarded an MBE for her service to the Rugby Union.  The mural, created by renowned street art collective MurWalls, is situated at Leicester Forest RFC where Emily had her first experience of the game aged just 5 years old and is one of several around the country dedicated to the team including Red Roses captain Sarah Hunter in Newcastle and Shaunagh Brown in London, the aim of the works is to inspire the next generation to try the sport and increase awareness of the women's game.   #teamdream 

In 2022 the Stoney Stanton Yarnbombers in Leicestershire created a display of knitted Poppies to remember the fallen and all who served their county in various conflicts through history. I visited on Armistice Day to see the display which featured Red, Purple and white Poppies alongside square knitted silhouette details of soldiers and horses. The 17 large panels where hung across the wall of the St Michael`s Church and featured a middle panel with the words #wewillrememberthem.

The SEE MONSTER is a decommissioned North Sea Oil Rig repurposed into one of the UK’s largest public art installations with the aim to inspire global conversations about reuse, renewables and the great British weather. Sited in the former 1930s lido, "Tropicana" in Weston Super Mare that has previously played host to artist Banksy`s Dismaland the imposing structure dominates the sea front and includes the cascading roar of a 10-metre waterfall, shimmering scales a "Garden Lab" featuring a solar power flower kinetic sculptures and a "Wind Nest". The structure also features a Cloud machine and a slide between levels. The See Monster is part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. A once-in-a-lifetime celebration of creativity, taking place across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and online from March to November 2022. 

A drive along Leicester`s Golden Mile decorated with lights for the festival of Diwali. During one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India, Leicester`s golden mile is illuminated by thousands of colorful decorations bringing the "festival of lights" to spectacular life. Join us on a drive along the golden mile, as a passenger, as we look in real time at the decorations along each side of the road. Happy Diwali to all Celebrating.